TWO oil companies, CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Ltd. (Nexen) and Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd (Hess), request was granted by Acting Chief Justice Roxane George on Thursday, to join the proceedings in the case between local activist Ramon Gaskin, and the State.

Early last month, the two companies would have filed an application to the court, asking to join the case, since they are deeply involved in the arguments presented by Gaskin.
Gaskin who is being represented by lawyer, Melinda Janki and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel, Seenath Jairam, is challenging the state, more specifically the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman for giving authorisation to both Nexen and Hess, to deport oil explorations in Guyana.

Gaskin is questioning the legality of the permit given, explaining that the two companies were not issued separate license, in fact they are said to be covered by the environmental permits issued to ExxonMobil, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited.

But the activist highly disagrees, and as such is seeking to block the companies from proceeding with their explorations.

Though the matter involves the oil companies, they were not listed in the proceedings since the matter is between Gaskin and the State, who granted the authorisation. However, the companies (Hess and Nexen), through the representation of Attorney-at-law, Andrew Pollard SC, and Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, are now able to defend themselves as chief justice would have granted their request to join.

The State, being represented by Attorney-at-law and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, and Attorney-at-law Edward Luckhoo SC, were given two weeks, as well as the counsel of the oil companies, to submit written affidavits in response to Gaskin’s argument.
Setting a date for ruling as early next year, the Chief Justice explained that the time was given to make all necessary submissions by all parties involved. The court will return in January of next year for the chief justice’s ruling.